60 Million Americans Have Already Voted

(Patria) - More than 60 million Americans have already voted in the US presidential election eight days before it is held, a record number indicating potentially the highest turnout in US history.

That number is the latest sign of high engagement from American voters in the race between Republican President Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden, as well as their determination to minimize the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, which has claimed more than 225,000 lives in the US.

Democrats have a significant advantage in early votes, although Republicans have also sent in large numbers in the past. This time, they are voting in advance less because the US president has repeatedly stated that the mail-in voting system is prone to fraud.

Democratic voters have sent in twice as many votes overall as Republicans.

Based on this large number, political scientist Michael McDonald from the University of Florida, head of the U.S. Elections Project, predicts that the overall turnout in the election will be around 150 million, representing 65 percent of eligible voters and the largest number since 1908, Hina reports.

American voters have already voted in greater numbers this year than in all of 2016.